In a four-band resistor, which is the most common, the first two bands also represent the first two significant digits. The third band represents the multiplier. The fourth band represents the tolerance. Band Four – Tolerance: Gives the value of the tolerance for the resistor. The most common values are 5% (designated by a gold band), and 10% (designated by a silver band). This example uses a gold band, giving us a tolerance of 5%. It’s easiest to learn four band resistors first. Once you learn the four band system, it is very easy to understand five and six band resistor color codes. The Four Band 100k Ohm Resistor

A 100K resistor is a type of resistor with a value of 100,000 ohms. Resistors are passive electronic components that are used to resist the flow of electrical current in a circuit. They are commonly used to limit the current in a circuit, to divide the voltage in a circuit, to provide a reference voltage, or to create a voltage drop in a circuit. The value of a resistor is expressed in ohms, and it determines the amount of resistance that the resistor offers to the flow of electrical current. The higher the value of the resistor, the more resistance it offers, and the lower the current that will flow through it. Four band resistors have two bands for the value, one for the multiplier, and one for the tolerance.In a six-band resistor, the first five bands have the same representation as a five-band resistor followed by one extra sixth band that represents the temperature coefficient of resistance (TCR). Tolerance The final band indicates the tolerance of the resistor. The tolerance explains how much more or less the actual resistance of the resistor can be compared to what its nominal value is. No resistor is made to perfection, and different manufacturing processes will result in better or worse tolerances. For example, a 1kΩ resistor with 5% tolerance could actually be anywhere between 0.95kΩ and 1.05kΩ. Tolerance is the percentage of error between the actual measured resistive value and the stated value. This is due to the manufacturing process and it is expressed as a percentage of its preferred value Calculating On the most precise of resistors, a 6 th band may be present. The first three bands would be the significant figure bands, the 4 th the multiplier, the 5 th the tolerance, and the 6 th could be either reliability or temperature coefficient. There are also other possible variations, but these are some of the more common configurations. Identify the last band first. The last band is usually gold or silver and should be separated from the other bands by a small gap. This band gives us the tolerance of the resistor.

The power rating of a resistor is one of the more hidden values. Nevertheless it can be important, and it's a topic that'll come up when selecting a resistor type. We then multiply that number by the multiplier indicated with the 3 rd band (yellow) which has the value of; x10 4 = 10000.The third band is the multiplier. Multiply the value designated by the first two bands with the multiplier to find the full value of the resistor. This calculator will help you identify the value, tolerance and temperature coefficient of a color coded resistor by simply selecting the bands colors. It will also calculate the minimum and maximum values based on the tolerance ratio. This calculator supports resistors with 3, 4, 5, and 6 bands. How to use? Resistors are electronic components which have a specific, never-changing electrical resistance. The resistor's resistance limits the flow of electrons through a circuit. Resistors manufactured for military use, may include an additional band indicating the failure rate. Other Resources